Chapter 71
Zhu Biao didn't take the potato thing too seriously, mainly because he had never seen this thing before, and he couldn't see anything special about such a small thing.
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang acting so solemnly, he couldn't say much. He could only accompany him cautiously, so as not to disturb his father's enjoyment.
Sometimes he felt that his old father was just like a child and had to be coaxed!
"By the way, Father, recently, the ministers have been quite critical of Hanzhong's illegal salt affairs. Many people have impeached Lao Jiu in court, and the memorials sent to the imperial study in private have piled up! Zhu
Biao suddenly changed the subject and mentioned the proliferation of illegal salt in Hanzhong.
Salt has been a business controlled by officials since ancient times, and selling illegal salt is a serious crime, but private salt is still rampant among the people.
In addition to the inaction of salt officials, what is more important is that most private salt sales are the result of collusion between officials and businessmen. It is said that there are policies and countermeasures, but in order to make money, many people are still willing to take risks.
This is why private salt sales are repeatedly prohibited. There are endless reasons.
After all, private salt has low prices and high profits. Compared with official salt, it can make these wealthy businessmen and corrupt officials make a lot of money!
Zhu Yuanzhang, including Zhu Biao, as the highest level of the imperial power The people in power are all aware of the twists and turns, but if they want to put an end to it, no one can do it!
The main contradiction now is that the private salt created by Lao Jiu has almost destroyed the industry! They have monopolized it!
Not only have they taken away the official salt business, but they have also taken away all the private salt business!
The cake is only so big. In the past, official salt accounted for 70% of the market, and the remaining 30% was taken away by wealthy businessmen and corrupt officials. , it can also make them a lot of money!
But now the trend has changed!
70% of the market has been taken over by Hanzhong, and the remaining 30% has become a business of official salt and private salt. Now the corrupt officials I can't sit still with the wealthy businessmen!
If the Hanzhong Mansion just robbed the imperial salt market, can those officials turn a blind eye, but if they touch their money-making cake, can they still bear it?
Businessmen selling private salt can just join if they can't beat them. The private salt in Hanzhong Prefecture sells so well. They don't have to be tied to the same boat as these corrupt officials. They can also go to Hanzhong Prefecture to purchase goods!
?
This is why there are suddenly so many officials in the court impeaching Lao Jiu, whether it is Lan Yu and other Huaixi nobles, or other officials in the court, there are only two reasons, one is jealousy, and the other is originally belonging to the imperial court. Their black money has been taken away!
Zhu Yuanzhang has been very worried about the secret affairs these days.
But whenever he goes to court, someone will definitely use this matter as an excuse.
For this reason, Zhu Yuanzhang has dismissed five people. The imperial court appointed an official!
Mainly because the private salt in Hanzhong is really delicious!
He, Zhu Yuanzhang, was also involved!
How could this guy like Lao Jiu supply the goods directly to him, so that Zhu Yuanzhang could control all the markets in the Jiangnan area? It's a monopoly!
What does this mean?
The market that originally belonged to these corrupt officials was directly interfered with by the emperor, leaving these corrupt officials with nowhere to go!
Salt...
In fact, the official salt sales are more and less, which does not have a big impact on the salt officials. After all, no matter how much money they make, it will go into the national treasury, and they will not suffer any loss.
But they also have a share in private salt, so this loss is just a loss. Let their hearts bleed!
"What do you think?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time, then stared at Zhu Biao and asked
"Erchen thought that the best solution to this matter was to officialize the salt in Hanzhong Prefecture!"
"What if what Laojiu sells is not private salt but official salt?"
Zhu Biao directly said the method he had been thinking about for several days.
His idea was relatively simple, that is, to give Lao Jiu's private life a legal cloak!
Anyway, it is something that benefits the people. Lao Jiu's The quality of private salt is good and the price is low, so why can't it be sold openly and directly replace the original official salt?
Chaowan can cooperate with Lao Jiu and let Lao Jiu be responsible for the salt business. In charge of production, while the court is in charge of sales, everyone is happy, and other officials have nothing to say. Isn't this the best of both worlds?
However, Zhu Yuanzhang grinned after hearing Zhu Biao's words!
Good guy, you are only thinking about how to help. Your ninth brother, right?
He just turned the private salt of Hanzhong Mansion into official salt!
If the guys in Lan Yu knew that you, the prince, were cheating them like this, would they be so angry that they would vomit blood?
But let’s not talk about it yet? , this is indeed the safest way. Not only can Lao Jiu and the court achieve a win-win situation, but it can also remove Lao Jiu from this matter, so that others can't find an excuse to criticize!
If it were before, Zhu Yuanzhang might still be able to do it! He really didn’t think about anything and just followed the advice given by Zhu Biao!
But now, Zhu Yuanzhang’s main consideration is how to get the private salt formula of Hanzhong Mansion!
"Do you think that if Lao Jiu is asked to cooperate with the court, he will hand over the salt-making formula in his hand?"
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang directly threw out the core of the problem.
In the final analysis, if you master this method of making refined salt, you can master the entire market!
So salt-making technology is the key!
"This... Erchen really can't guarantee it!"
"But since we are cooperating with Lao Jiu, and he is still responsible for production, is it really that important whether the court wants this technology?"
"To put it bluntly, Lao Jiu is one of his own. What is the difference between the technology in his hands and ours?"
Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment and then said what he thought.
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh.
This Biao'er is so kind!
He really thought that the current Lao Jiu was still the one he used to protect. That ninth brother?
"Let’s think about it again!"
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't intend to continue arguing with Zhu Biao on this issue!
He finally saw that no matter what, Zhu Biao's heart was towards his brother!
And there were some things that he really didn't know how to deal with. Zhu Biao said.
He couldn't say that he wanted to use methods on Lao Jiu directly, right?
And he didn't know what methods to use on Lao Jiu!
He thought so, but he also found that he seemed to be helpless. The feeling of taking action!
The main reason is that Lao Jiu hid it so well that he didn't give him a chance at all!
Take the salt-making technique as an example. After Lao Jiu figured it out, no one made a fortune in silence. He, Zhu Yuanzhang, even bought shares to make money together!
How could he take this matter directly against Lao Jiu?
He felt so guilty!
Of course, it was also because Lao Jiu was his own son. No matter how high your level is, he has ten thousand ways to deal with it, but towards Lao Jiu, he really feels helpless!
Soft methods are useless, and violent methods are useless, let alone whether he can be so cruel, Zhu Biao! The eldest brother will definitely be the first to object!
It can be summed up in one word: tired!
A few days later,
Zhu Yuanzhang stood in the imperial garden and looked at the seedlings that had grown where the potato seedlings were planted. He was overjoyed, with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
Ever since the potatoes were planted, Zhu Yuanzhang would come here for a walk almost every day, and even watered the potatoes himself. What a thought!
"Where is His Majesty the Crown Prince?"
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked
"Back to the emperor, the prince had left the palace earlier. It seemed that a batch of things had been transported by water from Hanzhong Mansion. The King of Han wrote a letter saying that the prince should accept it personally!"
Wang Chen quickly reported the report.
"Did Lao Jiu bring something here again? The boss also needs to receive it personally. What is being shipped this time?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned when he heard this!
The secret affair has not been resolved yet, so what kind of trouble is Lao Jiu going to do?
"I don’t know the specific old slave!"
Wang Chen smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Forget it, when the prince comes back, let him come directly to see us!"
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand helplessly.
But Cao Cao is here!
Zhu Biao happened to be holding an exquisite long box and walked towards Zhu Yuanzhang at this time! (To read Baoshuang novels, go to Feilu novels net!)
"I would like to send my regards to my father!"
Zhu Biao saluted first.
"Biao'er, what's that you're holding in your hand?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the long box held in Zhu Biao's hand and couldn't help but look suspicious!
He said that Zhu Biao had gone to the dock to pick up the goods from Hanzhong Mansion in the morning, and now he came over with a box. Could it be that it was sent by Lao Jiu? thing?
"My son is preparing to show it to his father!"
"You see, this is the newly woven silk and satin recently woven by Laojiu Hanzhong Mansion! Zhu
Biao explained with a smile, and opened the long box in his hand, revealing a piece of satin inside!
Look at the packaging and the texture of the satin, it is definitely a good product!
This is Suddenly Zhu Yuanzhang was even more surprised!
He took the satin out of the box and pinched the fabric. He found that the satin felt very good, the color was bright and colorful, and the dyeing technique was quite superb.!
What surprised him even more was that the complicated patterns on this satin were all formed in one piece. They were not like other fabrics and required subsequent embroidery processing! This was simply incredible!
Even Zhu Yuanzhang has been the emperor for so many years. This is the first time!
In fact, it is not surprising that Zhu Yuanzhang is ignorant. After all, how can the ancient weaving technology directly print such complicated patterns and patterns on cloth?
They are all of the same color, and even the ones with patterns are very simple patterns, and they are also the kind of symmetrical patterns that are endlessly looping.���The composition and coloring of the cloth all rely on silk threads that are embroidered later!
It is absolutely impossible for it to be formed in one piece like this!
After all, before this, there was no such thing as a printing machine in the Ming Dynasty!
"This...where did you get this silk?"
The more Zhu Yuanzhang watched, the more frightened he became. He almost forgot that Zhu Biao had just picked up Lao Jiu's goods from the dock.
After all, Jiangnan is definitely the leader in terms of output and quality of things like cloth and silk. At the sheep level, although there are a few well-known types of cloth in other regions, overall, Jiangnan is the place where the textile industry began.
No matter in terms of technology or size, it is not comparable to other regions! I don’t even dare to associate such silk and satin with Hanzhong Mansion!
"This batch of silk and satin was shipped from Lao Jiuhan Zhongfu!"
However, Zhu Biao's next words shocked Zhu Yuanzhang!
Good guy, was this really done by Lao Jiu?!
"Lao Jiu wrote a letter before, saying that a batch of goods was about to be delivered. We were a little curious, so we went to the dock in person, and only then did we know that what Lao Jiu was delivering this time was actually silk!"
"Moreover, this batch of goods was produced by Laojiu’s weaving workshop in Hanzhong! Lao Jiu said that large quantities of goods can be stably delivered to the imperial court every month, and the price is very cheap!"
"This Laojiu is really a blockbuster without even making a fuss! The price of such silk and satin is very close to the people. Now the people of Ming Dynasty are blessed!"
Zhu Shou explained with some excitement, and he did not forget to praise Zhu Yue!
However, Zhu Yuanzhang just felt like his head was buzzing at this moment!
He almost subconsciously thought of the system!
Yes, it is the system!!!
This satin It must have been caused by Lao Jiu’s system!
"How much does this satin cost?"
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly asked
"Lao Jiu said that if silk and satin of this quality were supplied to the imperial court, it would only cost 30 taels of silver per piece!"
"The prices he supplies to the private sector are around 35 taels to 40 taels per horse!"
Zhu Biao hurriedly told the price reported by Zhu Yue.
"so cheap?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened even more!
He is now 100% sure that the system must have helped Lao Jiu to make this thing!
With such quality, the price can be so cheap. Apart from the system, Zhu Yuanzhang can't think of any other explanation!
You know, if such silk is sold in the market, the price is comparable to gold!
Even if it is the most ordinary piece of silk, it will take at least five days for two people to complete it! It requires five people and takes longer!
Therefore, the price of these silks and satins in the market has always been high. Ordinary people can never afford them and can only wear coarse linen clothes!
The reason why the price of silk is so high! , including this huge artificial value!
Another point is the technological monopoly of the silk industry. Most people don’t know how to make it, and the technology is all in the hands of those cloth merchants!
"Has this kind of silk satin flowed into the private market?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked urgently
"According to Lao Jiu’s letter, sales have started in the northwest region, and the people are very happy! This kind of silk satin was sold out almost as soon as the market opened, and there were many businessmen who got wind of it and wanted to get the supply from Lao Jiu!"
"However, Lao Jiu still provided about 30% of his output to the imperial court. This time he sent three large ships of cloth!"
Zhu Biao explained with even more excitement.
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned on the spot!
At the same time, Hanzhong Mansion!
Zhu Yue didn't know the shock in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart at this moment. He was meeting several people from the Western Regions in the palace. Rich businessmen!
Of course, according to the old rules, Zhu Yue will not talk to these rich businessmen in person, letting Qin Han act as the messenger in the middle!
"His Highness said that Fanbang wants to purchase goods, and the price is 200 taels of silver per horse. As long as you are willing to buy it, you can have as much as you want!"
The Qin and Han Dynasties were relaying Zhu Yue's meaning to the merchants from the Western Regions.
When the merchants heard this, they immediately hesitated.
If you give 40 taels of goods to Daming, you will need 200 taels if you give them to the Western Regions!
Good guy, The price has increased five times!
But even so, the quality of this silk satin is enough to make them excited. Even if the price is higher, they have to negotiate this deal!
After all, this batch of goods only needs to be sold to the Western Regions! That's a solid profit!
Even if you buy it for two hundred taels, it's easy to sell it for three or four hundred taels.
Of course, only the royal nobles in the Western Regions who are not short of money can buy it at such a price! Get up!
But the most important thing in the Western Region is the royal family and nobles of all sizes!
If they get silk of this quality from the Western Region, they can all imagine what kind of panic buying will happen!
Of course, the earlier it is sold, the higher the price will be. After the market gradually opens, profits will definitely start to fall, so they must start as early as possible, otherwise they will not be able to find a place to cry if others get there first!
The price is set at 180 taels!
"His Highness also said that if you can get war horses in exchange, you will deliberately pay according to the price in the horse market, which is 130 taels per horse!"
At the same time, Qin and Han also pointed out a clear way for these wealthy merchants!
For a moment, the eyes of several merchants all lit up!
Compared with real money and silver, war horses are cheaper things for them, which is very important to them. It’s like pie in the sky!